Convertible luggage carrier



July 27 1926. v

, E. R. HOUSTON CONVERTIBLE LUGGAGE CARRIER Original Filed March 20. 1924 iii-.1

being Patented July 2?, recs.

reams CONVERTIBLE LUGGAGE CARRIER.

Application filed March 20, 1924, Serial No. 7611537. Renewed December 31, 1925.

'ihis invention relates to an improved luggage carrier of the type used for atuchnient to the running board of an automobile, and

has more particular reference to a carrier 3 oi? t iis type which is convertible.

it has been my principal aim in devising the present inventioi'i to provide a structure which can be utilized in the ordinary manner "for carrying on the running hot c. or be converted to provide a table -.encver necessary or desired.

(his, and an important feature of the improved device, is the confining well or member which iinperiioratc, the same being preferably in the itorm' of a board which, when used asa luggage csrrier, is disposed vertically and right angles to the outer edge of the running board so as to effectively retain small articles in place.

Another feature of the improved invention resides in the provision of novel means for connecting the confining wall or member to the running board, this means being such that it rigidly retains the wall in either of l two positions, the means being also such it it disposes the wall at a point beyond the outer edge of the running board when it is used a table so as to permit the occupants to themselves on the running board with the table in an GEIJGIlClGCl position in front of them.

lore specifically speaking, it is my aim to provide an extremely simple and inexpensive convertible carrier of the type under consideration which is merely composed of a board and a plurality of inter-connected links and angle irons, with appropriate tastenings.

Other objects and advantages vention will be apparent during ot the following description.

in the accompanying drawing forming a part of thi specification and in of the inthe course pathro'x iout the same:

ure perspective view or a, device constructed in accordance with this invention showing the relative position of parts when the same is used as a table, the same extended beyond the left-hand running board of an automobile (not shown).

Figure 2 is a section taken approximately on the line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. v

Figure 3 is a view like Fig. 2, but showing the in $1. 6 position when the ally connected to the inner ends of device is used rier.

Figure t is a section taken on line 4l 1- of Fig. 8.

as an ordinary luggage caroi L 2.

ltet'errms; to the drawing in detail, i

be ()bSQl'YQd that the so-called confini hoard of suitable length and thi- The dimensions of this board will of co vary according to the type of automobiie to which the invention is to be applied. tending across the top of the board opposite ends are metallic reinforcing st f2 hich secured in place by suitable tenings. Secured to the underside of board, directly beneath the strips 2, angle irons w iich are secured to the board by the same fastenings used to maintain the strips 2 in place. It is to be noted that the vertical flanges 01" these angle members 3 are disposed substantially flush Withthe edjacent ends of the board.

It has been before intimated that the aforesaid board or confining 1 is capable of disposition in either a horizontal position, to provide a table, or in a vertical position to provide an ordinary luggage carrier. .Vhile other means may be eniployed for connecting the board to the running board of the vehicle to permit this result to be attained, I prefer to utilize a series of links and anchoring irons. As seen in the drawing, the anchoring irons are simply short angle irons d which are tastened and extend transversely across the running board adjacent the opposite ends thereoi. Pivotally connectec at one end to the inner ends of these irons' l are comparatively short links 5. At their opposite ends, these links 5 are pivotaily connected with slightly longer links 6 as indicated the points 7. It is to be noted that the point oi connection just referred to is inward of? the lower ends or the links 6 and in this connection it will he observed. that the ends last referred to are provided with unoccupied 'pertur s 8 (seen in Figs. 1 and 2) which serve a purpose to be hereinafter described. At their upper ends, the links 6 are pivotthe aforesaid angle bars 3 as indicated at the points 9. These links 6 are further provided between their ends with additional apertures 10 which are adapted to register with similar apertures formed intermediate the ends of the remaining links 11, these last named links being pivoted at one end to the outer ends of the aforesaid anchoring members 4- and being pivoted at their opposite ends as at 12 to the angle irons 8. In addition to the first named apertures formed in the links 11, they are also provided with adjacent apertures 13 which serve a purpose to be hereinafter described. Through the apertures 10 and the registering apertures in the links 11, small bolts 1% pass, there being thumb nuts 15 threaded on the ends of the bolts as seen to maintain the links in lined relative relation.

Of course, a. plurality of s iitable to "c lugs (not numbered) are employed for curing parts in their appropriate po ions. Certain fastenings may be (JOHDtGlSllB-li.

1n order that the nanner of using the in vention and its method of application may be more clearly understood, l first direct attention to Fig. 8 wherein the pars are shown in a position to provide the connnon lugcarrier. in this position, disposed vertically and the outer longitudinal edge board B of the automobile. the links 6 overlie the links 11 these pairs of links are con i the corresponding angle bars 0. In older to retain the links specified 1n the relation shown, the bolts lei are passd through apertures 16 in the angle bars 8 and through the then alined apertures 13 and 8 oi" the links ('5 and 11. These links are thus rigidly con- 'l the angle bars 25. 'nce, it is one since the links 5 are connected with the like 6 and angle members 4-, they tie the board l to the running board ".iachine. Hence, all parts are held t *i 31 shown in 25. A Ii.

\llllllllfi that it is desired to convert the e carrier gust described ftt) the raise Figs. 1 and 2, the bolts and their no, nuts 15 are simply removed. lhe lower edge of the board 1 then grasped and an upward pull exerted thereon which causes it swing to th llOllZOllt-tll position shown and causes the links 11 and 6 to cross one "**--the:--. U erings; 10 of tie links (3 with the upper apei the links 11. and inserting the bolts ll therethrough and tightening the nuts 15, the board 1 held in a position to permit it to serve GihClGRl'ly as a table. ll hen the parts are again returned to the initial position described, the board 1 swings about the pivots 12 and the inner end thereof exerts an upward pull on the links 6 and 5 so as to re turn the several links to original positions.

The descriptionwhen takenin athi-a'e drawr will undoubtedly serve to enable a clear understanding of the invention to be obtained. Hence, a more specific description is deemed unnecessary.

Although a specific structure embodying a particular arrangement of parts has been set forth, it is to be understood. that rearrangement of parts may be made within the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A combined luggage carrier and table comprising a pair of spaced parallel bars adapted to be fastened transversely across the footboard of a vehicle, a board capable of being used as a table when in a hori zontal position and as a confining wall of a luggao'ecarrier when in a vertical. posi- 1 age pivoted to said bars and to raid board to swing only and substantially in the plane of said bars whereby to suppo ions of said linkage together in either ion oi said board.

2. A convertible luggage carrier comprisin a confining wall, pairs of links pivotally connected together at their inner cum and pivotally connected at their opposite ends with said board and with the running board of the vehicle respectively and means in as socia'tion with said pairs of links for maintaining; said wall in either a horizontal or a vertical position.

i convertible luggage carrier comprising; a confining wall adapted to be disposed in either a horizontal or a vertical position, two pairs of connecting links, there being one pair at each end of said wall and the links of each pair being pivotally connected together and pivotally connected at their opposite ends to said wall and the running board of the vehicle respectively.

The structure specified in claim 3, together with additional. links pivoted to said ll at points inward of the first named pivotal connection and pivoted at their opposite ends to the running board.

5. A convertible luggage carrier comprisan elongated hoard, angle irons secured transversely across the board at the opposite ends thereot, pairs of pivot-ally connected links at the opposite ends of said board, links being pivotally connected at their or; ends with said board and to the running board of the vehicle respectively, a -d additional links pivoted to the angle irons inward oi" the ends thereof and pivotally connected at their opposite ends with the running board of the vehicle, and means for connecting said last named links with one of the links of the aforesaid pairs.

In testimony whereof I have a-fii:-;ed my signature.

EDlVARl R03? HQUSTON. 

